NASA map is still red, Carbon Monoxide Facing above Indonesia

NASA maps still show a lot of red above Indonesia. NASA Visualize Eyes on the Earth for a period of 16- 18 October 2026 shows a wide range of carbon monoxide (CO) in the atmosphere, starting from Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Papua, and even some neighboring countries.

The red shows a relatively high concentration of carbon monoxide on NASA's visualization scale, but that doesn't mean that the air that people breathe around the region is automatically dangerous.

This hearing continues to observe the October 13- 15 period previously reported INET. Even though the CO still looks a lot, it takes a data comparison at the same location and altitude to ensure whether the concentration is increasing or decreasing.

NASA maps show the parameter daily CO at 500 mb (ppbv), which is the concentration of carbon monoxide on a pressurized atmospheric layer of about 500 millibars or altitude of 5,500 meters above sea level.

The data came from an Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument on a NASA Aqua satellite.

In observable visualization, the color scale stretches from 0 to 160 parts per billion by volume (ppbv). Red shows a higher CO concentration than blue or green.

NASA explained on its official website that carbon monoxide can survive in the atmosphere for about a month and wind-carried to a great distance from its emission source.

It means that the spheres of CO that are seen above Indonesia don't always come from the area right below it. Wind movements can carry the gas across islands even borders.

Carbon monoxide is an uncolored and odourless gas produced from imperfect combustion. The source is between forest fires and land, motor vehicles, industrial activity, and burning other fuels.

NASA had previously documented the high concentration of CO in the Indonesian atmosphere when a major forest fire hit October 2015.

Nevertheless, the carbon monoxide map alone is not enough to ensure that all the gas in October 2026 comes from the carhutla.

On the other hand, the Meteorological Agency, climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) confirm that carhutla smoke is still being monitored in some parts of Indonesia.

In official reports October 17, 2026, BMKG recorded smoke in most of Sumatra and Kalimantan, central to south, the Maluku Islands, and most of Papua.

BMKG also detected 478 hot spots with high levels of trust on October 16th. The largest number was found in South Sumatra with 189 points, followed by East Java 89 points and South Papua 63 points.

The smog and heat points became information support for tracing possible carbon monoxide sources. However, it takes additional analysis to ensure a direct link between the fire site and the CO concentration that NASA detected.

Carbon monoxide can be a health hazard if it's inhaled in high concentration because disrupting the ability of blood carries oxygen.

However, NASA maps on atmospheric layers of approximately 5.5 kilometers cannot be used directly to determine the rate of exposure on the surface.

BMKG previously explained that Karhutla smoke that had entered the Jabocibek region on October 16th began to move away on October 17th.

Nevertheless, smoke remains detected on the west coast of Banten at about 35.4 kilometers.

The Grand Secretary of the BMKG, Guswanto, confirmed that the existence of smoke detected by satellites doesn't always indicate increased concentration of pollutants on the surface.

"Nevertheless, BMKG is urging people to remain vigilant and monitor the development of air quality in their own environment. BMKG continues to monitor atmospheric dynamics and convey the latest information for the society to take anticypative measures," Guwanto said in official information, Saturday (17 / 10 / 2026).

BMKG also noted a delicate concentration of PM2.5 particulates in Yakarta, which is 46,7-109.7 micrograms per cubic meter, with a medium category to unhealthy.

Meanwhile, standard air pollutants (ISPU) index in a number of Jakarta areas vary from good categories to unhealthy.

Thus, the still red NASA map does not automatically contradict the BMKG report that the smoke began to stay away from Jabobarbek. They both use parameters, heights, and different observation times.

To know the air conditions that are really inhaled, people need to monitor the quality measurements of surface air through the BMKG and the ISPU Department of Environment system.

NASA maps give an important picture of the vastness of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, but it can't be the only foundation to conclude the danger levels of air pollution in an area.